Putting in long hours at the office is often considered to be a sign that a particular employee is dedicated to his or her work at the company. This has only become more true as employees have gotten used to checking their work email on smart devices at all hours. But new research suggests that, rather than leading to more productivity, the tendency to work around the clock may actually have a detrimental effect on employee performance and morale.
There is a clear correlation between working long hours and poor health, which in turn can worsen employee productivity and increase absenteeism. One study conducted by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health found that those who consistently work overtime are 12 percent more likely to be heavy drinkers. Similar studies have shown upticks in Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
In any case, long hours may not be the indicator of dedication that many employers think it is. Erin Reid, a professor at Boston University's Questrom School of Business, found in a study of several consultants that managers could not accurately tell the difference between employees who worked 80 hours per week and those who pretended to do so.
Instead of focusing on the number of hours worked, firms can protect their employees from burnout by placing a greater emphasis on efficiency and time management. Investing in the proper tools and technology helps save time on redundant and labor-intensive tasks. Interactive Edge offers a number of creative ways to get the most out of your data. Check out the rest of our website to learn more about the services we offer to our clients.
